TWO roads in Woodley remained closed yesterday evening after heavy rainfall engulfed them in a foot-and-a-half of water.

But after this summer’s extreme rainfall Wokingham Borough Council was not taking any chances.

Yesterday council spokesman Dave Allen said the authority had 3,000 sandbags ready to be given out, and another 5,000 in reserve.

Meanwhile the Environment Agency issued a severe weather warning for parts of the region. The agency said heavy rainfall could see the River Loddon, which snakes through Woodley, Winnersh, Earley, Twyford, Wargrave and Charvil, flood.

A statement, issued by the agency in conjunction with the warning, said: “This flood watch may result in general flooding problems in the towns and villages of Winnersh, Arborfield, Woodley, Twyford, Charvil and Wargrave.”

Roads which flooded in Woodley included Sandford Lane and Lands End Ford/Park Lane. Both roads were closed after the heavy rainfall started at about 11pm on Monday.

Mr Allen said yesterday the roads were still closed, but council officials had been checking on them regularly to see if they could be re-opened.

In July this year, following the mass flooding, both these roads were shut along with others in the area.

Political advisor for Woodley’s Liberal Democrats Ben Mathis lives in Central Reading. He was on the number 63 bus this morning which was heading into Woodley.

The 25-year-old passed the area which had flooded.

He said: “There were signs indicating the road was closed. The flooding seemed to be leading down towards Sandford Farm.”

Reading Borough Council spokesman Oscar Mortali, also speaking yesterday, said there had so far been no reports of roads in Reading borough flooding.

Yesterday an Environment Agency spokesman said: “Widespread rain is expected today, which could be heavy at times. It is not expected to clear until this evening. Tomorrow is expected to start out dry, but some further showers are expected for the afternoon and the evening.”

He added rainfall is expected to reach up to 12 millimetres in the River Thames’s catchment region.

People who are concerned about the Loddon flooding can contact an emergency number at the agency. Ring 0845 988 11 88 and ask for extension 01124121.